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`lI". R. TIMBY.

ORE SBPARATING AND AMALGAMATING MACHINE.

No. 246,245. E Patented-Aug. 23,1881.

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/JTTEEn l u l V/ENTM: c/laf UMwW-M" W M1 554mm vas to be capable of revolving in the top of the THEODORE R. TIMBY, OF NYAOK, NEVT YORK.

ORE SEPARATING AND AMALGAIVIATING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 246,245, dated August 23, 1881.

Application filed To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEoDoRE R. TIMBY, of Nyack, Rockland county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore Separating; and Amalgamating Machines, ot' which the following is a specification.

My present invention aims to provide a simple and effective separating-machine which will separate the carthy or lighter particles from the heavy or metallic particles by a continuous agitation of the ore, together with an air-blast blown over and through the agitated mass, the earthy portion being blown out with the air, while the metallic portion gravitates to one end of the machine, where its amalgamation may be effected immediately after its separation, and before leaving the machine.

rlhe main feature of my invention may be stated to consist in a separatingr machine formed of a close cylinder ortube arranged to rotate, and provided on its interior with peripheral and radial flanges, ribs, partitions, or equivalent projections, and having either end mounted on hollow journals, through one of which the stream of ore, together with a blast of air, is admit-ted, while through the opposite journal the spent blast. together with the light particles, escapes, while the heavier particles gravitate to one end of the cylinder, preferably into an amalgainating-chamber.

The invention also embodies additional features, as hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure l of the annexed drawings presents a plan view of my improved machine, the cylin'der being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a longitudina-l sectional elevation thereof, and Fig. 3 a cross-section on x.

In the drawings, A indicates a long tube or drum, preferably of circular section, as seen in Fig. 3, which is mounted in a proper manner on strong uprights a a of a suitable framework or foundation. The drum, as shown, is preferably arranged with its axis horizontal, and is formed slightly tapering, so that its contents will naturally tend to gravitate slowly toward its broad end; but it will be observed that the drum may be cylindrical, and set slightlyinclinin g, if preferred, with equivalent effect. Each end of the drum is journaled, so

August 15, 1STE).

uprights a a', the journals being either supported in journal-boxes of ordinary form or ou friction-rollers, as may he thought best. The drum may be slowly revolved by an encirclingbelt from the pulley Z on the shaft nl, whichis itsclt' revolved by power applied to the pulley n, as will bc easily understood from Figs. l and 3. lt will beobserved that thejonrnals ofthe drum are hollow, and form at the same time, respectively, the inlet and outlet of the machine.

The journal I), at the small end of the machine, which forms the inlet thereto, is fixed in the upright a', and a tubular neck on that end of the drum rotates therein, asillustrated in Figs. l and 2. The journal c, atthe opposite end of the drum, forms the outlet of the machine, and revolves in the bearing on the upright u, as illustrated. lIhe fixed journal b is divided, as seen best in Fig. 2, by a central partition into two passages, through the up per one of which the pnlverized ore is admitted into the cylinder by a chute extending therefrom to a hopper or reservoir of the ore, while the lower one connects by a pipe with a ian-blower or other air-blast apparatus, from which an energel ic air-cu rrent is passed th rough the journal and blown through the cylinder, escaping therefrom through the eduction-journal at the opposite end, as illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

The interior o t` the drum is provided with a series of iianges, ribs, or equivalent projections, ef, extending from the inner periphery ofthe drum, preferably in a radial direction, toward the center. These flanges may extend but a' short distancefrom theperiphery,ormay be extended fully to the center of the drum, forming a series of compartmental partitions, dividing the drum into distinct segments or compartments, and they may extend the full length of the cylinder, or buta partofits length. I prefer, however, to form a combination ot' these two possible arrangements, as shown in the drawings. Thus I prefer to littheinterior of the drum with one series of narrow flanges, c, projecting but a short distance radiallyfrom the periphery of the drum, and extendingin a longitudinal direction thereon, preferably from the inlet end to nearly the outlet end, and I prefer to combine with these narrow ribs or IOO flanges two full diametric partitions,ff, arranged at right angles to each other, and alternating with the narrow ribs e c, as shown best in Fig. 3. rIhese partitionsj'f are preferably abouthalt' the length ofthe drum, and arranged midway therein, so as not to extend to either end, as shown clearly in .'Figs. 1 and 2, and these partitions, as well as thellanges, are preferably perforated over their whole extent with line perforations, as illustrated.

It will now be readily understood that when the apparatus is in action, the drum being slowly revolved while the ore and air are admitted thereto, the currentofair, being tirst admitted under the falling stream ot' ore, scatters the same etl'ectivelyon its entrance to thedrum, after which it is at once further agitated and carried up in small masses by the flanges c on the rising side ot' the drum, from whichit soon slides in thin descending masses through the air-current, which is blowing rapidly through the drum, and which effectively carries ott' the lighter particles ofthe ore, which are thus freely exposed to its inilueuce, and discharges the samethrough the outlet, while the metallic particles gravitate to the bottom ofthe drum and gradually travel to the lower end thereof. It will also be observed from Fig. 3 that as the ore slides oit' the ilangesc it falls on the perforated partitionsf, toward the center thereof', where it is momentarily retained under exposure to the central or strongest portion of the blast, which effectually blows out thelighter particles, while the. heavier particles t'all through the perforations. lt will hence beseen that by this construction, which is simple and inexpensive, a certain and rapid winnowingaction isproduced, which eil'ectually separates the non-metallic from themetallic particles; and it willbe readily understood. that by regulating the force ot' the air-blast the apparatus may be adjusted to suit various ores, it heilig' only necessary to adjust the force ot' the blast so that it will be justsuflieient to carry oi' the lighter particles without ai'ecting the heavier ones, and hence allowing the latter to remain within the drinn.

I prefer to leave an unobstructed chamber, g, at the delivering end of the drum, into which the separated metallic portion ot' the ore gradually travelsd uring the operation ofthe-machine, and in which the ore may be amalgamaled just as its separation occurs. A shallow depth ot' Quicksilver is therefore placed in this chamber, as illustrated, and in this are arranged several metallic balls, lt, which, as the drum revolves, roll about therein and thus assist in keeping the ore mixed with the Quicksilver, and thus promote the amalgamating action thereof', as

will be readily understood. When the amalgamation is sutciently advanced the quicksilver may be removed through the tap 7s for distillation, and a fresh charge being again inserted the action ot' the machine may be continued. By this means it will be seen that the separating and amalgamating actions are performed continuously 'and harmoniously in the same machine, thus rendering the treatment of the ore rapid, certain, and economical.

The journal ends of the drum A may sometimes be formed as shown in Fig. 4, which is a simple equivalent or modification of the coustruction shown in the main figures-that is, the cylinder may revolve on the solid ljournal or gudgeon o, ixed to the end thereof, while the stream ot' ore and blast ot' air may be admitted through a tubular neck, r, around the journal, as indicated by arrows.

That I claim as my invention is- 1. rIhe ore separator and amalgamatorherein described, consisting', essentially, of an inclined or tapering drum or cylinder revolving on hollow journals with internal agitatingand sifting ilanges, an amalgamatingchamber, and lappliances forintroducing ore, and an airblast at one end, and discharging the lighter particlesof ore at the other, allashereinshown and described.

2. rIhe combination, in the drum A, of the longitudinal partitions j', separating it into differentcompartments, and the interposed ribs c, t'or agitating and sit'tingthe ore,as explained.

3. The combination, in the ore-cylinder A,ot' the partitions and ribs fe, and amalgamatingchamber g and balls L, as shown or described.

et. I'he rotary drum A, provided with an inlet and an outlet atits respective axial ends, with internal agitating partitions or ribs, and havingits delivering and separating end formed into an amalgamating-chamber, g, whereby amalgamationV immediately occurs after separation, and the two operations are performed continuously and harmoniously in the same machine, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. In combination with a cylindrical oreseparator, an amalgamator connected with the waste-discharge end thereof, consisting ot' a 1nercury-trough forming an integral part or continuation of said separator.

6. In combination with the separating-cylinder A, having expanded end forming an amalgainatiiig-trough, a ball or roller, h.

THEODORE l. TIMBY.

Titnessesz .EDWARD H. WALEs, CHAs. M. HIGGINS.

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